Bottom Line:
The objective of this research was to compare the chemical/physical parameters and bacterial qualities of selected surface water streams in Louisiana, including a natural stream (control) and an animal waste related stream.Fecal coliforms isolated from these samples were identified to the species level.Chemical analysis was performed following standard test protocols (LaMotte 2002).

ABSTRACTThe objective of this research was to compare the chemical/physical parameters and bacterial qualities of selected surface water streams in Louisiana, including a natural stream (control) and an animal waste related stream. Samples were collected and analyzed for fecal coliforms. Fecal coliforms isolated from these samples were identified to the species level. Chemical analysis was performed following standard test protocols (LaMotte 2002). An analysis of biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total organic carbon (TOC), total dissolved solids (TDS), conductivity, pH, temperature, ammonia nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, iron, copper, phosphate, potassium, sulfate, turbidity, zinc and bacterial levels was performed following standard test protocols as presented in Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater [9]. Results of the comparisons of the various surface water streams showed that phosphate levels, according to Mitchell and Stapp, were considered good for Lake Claiborne (control) and Bayou Dorcheat. The levels were found to be .001 mg/L and .007 mg/L respectively. Other streams associated with animal waste, had higher phosphate levels of 2.07 mg/L and 2.78 mg/L, respectively. Conductivity and total dissolved solids (TDS) levels were the lowest in Lake Claiborne and highest in the Hill Farm Research Station stream. It can be concluded from the data that some bacterial levels and various nutrient levels can be affected in water resources due to non-point source pollution. Many of these levels will remain unaffected.

Mentions:
A comparative analysis involving the use of natural water sources that may or may not be associated with animal waste was conducted. Each site was selected based upon its designated use and/or association with animal waste. The sample sites chosen were Bayou Dorcheat, Hill Farm Research Station stream, Lake Claiborne, and Ray Pond. The mean values of chemical oxygen demand-COD (mg/L) for each sample site were found to be 44.07 ± 0.46, 21.13 ± 0.35, 23.73 ± 0.70, and 48.86 ± 0.35 mg/L, respectively. The mean values of biochemical oxygen demand -BOD (mg/L) were determined to be 6.63 ± 0.14, 5.56 ± 0.01, 3.96 ± 0.01, and 16.63 ± 0.22 mg/L, respectively in Bayou Dorcheat, Hill Farm Research Station stream, Lake Claiborne, and Ray Pond. Total organic carbon- TOC levels were found to be 11.51 ± 0.005, 5.02 ± 0.004, 7.29 ± 0.004, and 6.53 ± 0.004 mg/L in Bayou Dorcheat, Hill Farm Research Station stream, Lake Claiborne, and Ray Pond, respectively. Figures 1, 2, and 3 show the mean levels of COD, BOD, and TOC for each of the sample sites. It was determined that variations found among the BOD means for each sample site were highly significant (p<0.0001).

Mentions:
A comparative analysis involving the use of natural water sources that may or may not be associated with animal waste was conducted. Each site was selected based upon its designated use and/or association with animal waste. The sample sites chosen were Bayou Dorcheat, Hill Farm Research Station stream, Lake Claiborne, and Ray Pond. The mean values of chemical oxygen demand-COD (mg/L) for each sample site were found to be 44.07 ± 0.46, 21.13 ± 0.35, 23.73 ± 0.70, and 48.86 ± 0.35 mg/L, respectively. The mean values of biochemical oxygen demand -BOD (mg/L) were determined to be 6.63 ± 0.14, 5.56 ± 0.01, 3.96 ± 0.01, and 16.63 ± 0.22 mg/L, respectively in Bayou Dorcheat, Hill Farm Research Station stream, Lake Claiborne, and Ray Pond. Total organic carbon- TOC levels were found to be 11.51 ± 0.005, 5.02 ± 0.004, 7.29 ± 0.004, and 6.53 ± 0.004 mg/L in Bayou Dorcheat, Hill Farm Research Station stream, Lake Claiborne, and Ray Pond, respectively. Figures 1, 2, and 3 show the mean levels of COD, BOD, and TOC for each of the sample sites. It was determined that variations found among the BOD means for each sample site were highly significant (p<0.0001).

Bottom Line:
The objective of this research was to compare the chemical/physical parameters and bacterial qualities of selected surface water streams in Louisiana, including a natural stream (control) and an animal waste related stream.Fecal coliforms isolated from these samples were identified to the species level.Chemical analysis was performed following standard test protocols (LaMotte 2002).

ABSTRACTThe objective of this research was to compare the chemical/physical parameters and bacterial qualities of selected surface water streams in Louisiana, including a natural stream (control) and an animal waste related stream. Samples were collected and analyzed for fecal coliforms. Fecal coliforms isolated from these samples were identified to the species level. Chemical analysis was performed following standard test protocols (LaMotte 2002). An analysis of biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total organic carbon (TOC), total dissolved solids (TDS), conductivity, pH, temperature, ammonia nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, iron, copper, phosphate, potassium, sulfate, turbidity, zinc and bacterial levels was performed following standard test protocols as presented in Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater [9]. Results of the comparisons of the various surface water streams showed that phosphate levels, according to Mitchell and Stapp, were considered good for Lake Claiborne (control) and Bayou Dorcheat. The levels were found to be .001 mg/L and .007 mg/L respectively. Other streams associated with animal waste, had higher phosphate levels of 2.07 mg/L and 2.78 mg/L, respectively. Conductivity and total dissolved solids (TDS) levels were the lowest in Lake Claiborne and highest in the Hill Farm Research Station stream. It can be concluded from the data that some bacterial levels and various nutrient levels can be affected in water resources due to non-point source pollution. Many of these levels will remain unaffected.